Genetic control of plant organ growth. Plants organs, such as leaves and petals, have a distinct size and shape reflecting differences in growth. Despite its importance, very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate growth. The objectives of this proposal are a) to test whether organ growth depends on cell-cell signalling and b) to identifying genes that regulate growth, and to characterize their molecular function.
Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the ....Marsupial germ cells and genes. Germ cells are the most fascinating cells in the body, since theirs is the unique responsibility for transmitting life from generation to generation. Studies in mice have suggested that position in the embryo determines their origin, but the early embryology of the mouse is so different from that of other mammals that the events need confirming and extending in another species. The simplified embryology of the tammar wallaby makes it ideal for studying one of the most fundamental questions in the whole of biology: what is the basis for the primal distinction between sex and soma?Read moreRead less
How does the unilaminar blastocyst form an embryo? Marsupials are synonymous with Australia and they are scientifically amazing. An understanding how the single-layered marsupial blastocyst cells are directed to form the complex organisation of an embryo would help us understand the biology underlying the developmental potential of all cells. Understanding these processes is not only of great fundamental interest to developmental biology but also for the development of embryonic stem cell lines. ....How does the unilaminar blastocyst form an embryo? Marsupials are synonymous with Australia and they are scientifically amazing. An understanding how the single-layered marsupial blastocyst cells are directed to form the complex organisation of an embryo would help us understand the biology underlying the developmental potential of all cells. Understanding these processes is not only of great fundamental interest to developmental biology but also for the development of embryonic stem cell lines. This research will continue Australia's high profile in reproductive biology using one of our iconic native mammals. A greater understanding of marsupial reproduction will also contribute to management of our threatened marsupial populations.Read moreRead less
Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to ....Taming the intruders: the domestication of Tigger transposable elements in mammals. It has become apparent that most of the DNA that makes us what we are is actually comprised of the remnants of invading parasitic DNA acquired over time. A continual battle exists between host which tries to silence or remove this DNA, and the parasite that tries to multiply and spread. We are currently investigating an intriguing aspect of this process that involves host genomes 'domesticating' parasitic DNA to provide novel functions, thereby facilitating the evolution of specific characteristics within species.Read moreRead less
Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, ....Identification of nuclear reprogramming factors in oocyte cytoplasm. The mature oocyte contains dominant factors that are capable of erasing tissue specific gene expression profiles of somatic cells. These reprogramming factors would be valuable for dedifferentiation of cells and for nuclear transfer in animal cloning. The research involves determination of reprogramming factors present in active cytoplasm following enucleation of the germinal vesicle, blockage of transcription and translation, and timed cultures. The assays will involve maintenance of reprogramming ability and erasure of somatic gene transcription. By subtractive elimination the function of isolated proteins which are involved in reprogramming will be identified for potential recombinant production.Read moreRead less
Insect development : the role of cytochrome P450s. Pest insects vector human diseases such as malaria and impose a massive burden in agriculture due to control costs and production losses. The intelligent control of insect pests requires an understanding of their development that is controlled by hormones. This project will provide an in depth understanding of insect hormone synthesis/degradation that is controlled by a class of enzymes, the cytochrome P450s. This will increase the potential ....Insect development : the role of cytochrome P450s. Pest insects vector human diseases such as malaria and impose a massive burden in agriculture due to control costs and production losses. The intelligent control of insect pests requires an understanding of their development that is controlled by hormones. This project will provide an in depth understanding of insect hormone synthesis/degradation that is controlled by a class of enzymes, the cytochrome P450s. This will increase the potential for new insect-specific control strategies with a decreased environmental impact.Read moreRead less
A bird's eye view of sex: the chicken embryo as a model for gonadal development. The development of an embryo as either male or female (sex determination) is a fundamental biological process that fascinates both scientific and lay communities alike. This project will use the chicken embryo as a unique model organism to study how genes control sex determination. We will bring a novel method to our field of study; the use of avian viruses to deliver genes into embryos. This project will enhance ou ....A bird's eye view of sex: the chicken embryo as a model for gonadal development. The development of an embryo as either male or female (sex determination) is a fundamental biological process that fascinates both scientific and lay communities alike. This project will use the chicken embryo as a unique model organism to study how genes control sex determination. We will bring a novel method to our field of study; the use of avian viruses to deliver genes into embryos. This project will enhance our understanding of a basic biological process. It will have application to the poultry industry, in terms of sex ratio manipulation. It will also aid in the diagnosis of humans born with sexual abnormalities. The project will consolidate Australia's standing as a world leader in the area of reproduction and development.Read moreRead less
Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behav ....Discovering mechanisms of primary embryonic tissue migration through live cell imaging and novel genetic approaches. The studies proposed here will provide concepts and knowledge about the molecular basis of cell migration that will impact on diverse aspects of human health, such as the causes and nature of tumour metastasis and our understanding of the developmental basis of birth defects. In addition, understanding cell migration mechanisms will allow us to better predict or control the behaviour of therapeutic stem cells introduced into the body.Read moreRead less
Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanis ....Understanding the control of male germ-line development by the germline-restrictive silencing factor in plants. The world population is currently increasing at an unprecedented rate, with a concomitant requirement to double the food production from the same amount of arable land. To ensure global political and social stability, equitably increasing sustainable food production without compromising environmental integrity remains a major challenge. This proposal investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying male germ line initiation and development in plants. Switching off male gamete development in some crop plants will create male sterile lines, which, when crossed with genetically distinct lines, will have the potential to produce hybrids that yield 20-30 percent more crop without additional inputs. Read moreRead less
Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The o ....Epigenetic programming of plant sperm cells. Most of the grains and seeds that form the world's food supply are the result of the successful functioning of sperm and egg cells during fertilisation. This proposal aims to investigate the nature of sperm cell genome programming in plants and unravel molecular processes that give these cells their unique identity. This innovative and challenging research will also provide an excellent opportunity for training the next generation of scientists. The outcomes of this proposal will enhance Australia's international lead in this field and will pave the way toward the development of new approaches for sustaining and enhancing crop productivity under changing environmental conditions. Read moreRead less